Fluorescent lighting fixture



May 16, 1944. A SCHEPMOES 2,348,93@

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May 6, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Linolsle Schepmoes a h, f/

ATTORN EYS May 16, 1944. SCHEPMOES FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May 6, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0/2 epmoes r 7 ATTORN EYS Patented May 16, 1944 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Lindsley Schepmoes, New Haven, Coma, assig'nor to The Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application May 6, 1942, Serial No. 441,903

' 4 Claims. ('01. 240-48) This invention relates to lighting fixtures and more particularly to a lighting fixture for a fluorescent tube.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a lighting fixture characterized by simplicity and sturdiness and which may be readily manufactured from inexpensive materials. Another object is to provide a lighting fixture, the illuminating portion of which is self-contained, and which may be mounted or demounted from a celling or the like with a minimum of assembly or disassembly operations. Another object is to provide a lighting fixture the several parts of which may be quickly assembled. -Another object is to provide a fixture for a fluorescent tube which is capable of maximum difiusion without glare. Other objects will be in part apparent, and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings, wherein there is shown one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fixture;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a supporting bracket which forms a portion of the fixture; and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, taken along the line ilri of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

The ever increasing use of fluorescent lighting has given rise to numerous problems in the provision of suitable fixtures within'which the tubes can be installed so as to take full advantage of the numerous beneficial advantages of fluorescent lighting. While fluorescent light tubes are obtainable'in various sizes, their length almost always substantially exceeds their diameter, and they require various auxiliary equipment, starters and ballast in order to operate.- Thus, the length of the fluorescent tubes, together with their regulating apparatus, must be accommodated by the fixture while, at the same time, the the fixture should be of such character as to assure maximum lighting efliciency. Aesthetic problems also arise in connection with fixtures for fluorescent lighting by reason of the length of the tubes and regulating apparatus therefor.

It is accordingly another object of this invention to provide a fixture for fluorescent light tubes which solves the above-mentioned problems in a thoroughly practical and efficient manner.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, my fixture is generally indicated at l0, and preferably comprises an elongated cylindrical unit which may be] suspended as by supports, generally indicated at it and i2, from suitable ceiling brackets l3 and M (Figure d) preferably concealed by a canopy l5 (Figure 1). Cylindrical fixture ill is closed at its ends by end caps, and contains not only the fluorescent light tube or tubes, but also suitable reflectors together with the usual starters and regulating apparatus and ballast for the tubes, all as will be described in detail hereinbelow.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 4, cylindrical fixture it includes an arcuate elongated top plate it (see also Figure 2), the opposite longitudinal edges of which are provided, respectively, with inturned flanges its and ltb, the purpose of which will be described hereinbelow. Top plate it (Figure 4) is drilled at spaced points along its top to receive supports ii and I2, only one of which will be described, as both are alike.

Support ii includes a pipe ll, threaded at its opposite ends, and surroundedby a suitable decorative tubing Ha which also acts as a spacer between ceiling bracket is and the top of top plate iii. The lower threaded end of pipe H extends through one of the drilled portions of the top plate, and also through a hole in an arcuate washer it, and has threaded on its end a nut l9. The upper end of pipe H. is threaded into ceiling bracket is so that decorative tubing Ha. is clamped between the bracket and the top of top plate 66, thus holding the two in proper predetermined spaced relationship. Support I2 is similarly secured between top plate it and ceiling bracket it. The two ceiling brackets are provided with suitable legs or flanges which may be secured to the ceiling as by screws 20. Preferably one of brackets is and it is secured to the ceiling adjacent a conventional outlet box (not shown), and, as noted above, the brackets are concealed by canopy l5, the exterior surface of which may be suitably decorated so as to harmonize with the decorative tubing lid and the cylindrical fixture ill. The canopy is held in place against the ceiling by washers 2i and 22,

. respectively, encircling supports H and I2 and held in proper position against the bottom of canopy Is as by set screws zla and 22a. It may thus be seen that cylindrical fixture II] is firmly secured to the ceiling, but in such a manner that it may readily be detached therefrom for purposes of replacement or repair. Furthermore,

through the provision of brackets l3 and i4 in canopy l5, and the installation thereof, adjacent the outlet box in the ceiling, unsightliness is avoided and installation may be effected without damage to the ceiling. Inasmuch as supports II and I: are hollow, either may advantageously be utilized as a conduit through which the leads from the outlet box may extend for connection to the regulating apparatus of the fixture which is housed within cylindrical fixture ID, as will be described.

At each of the opposite ends of top plate I3 is secured a supporting bracket generally indicated at 23 which, as shown in Figure 3, includes a curved top 24, the radius of curvature of which is the same as the radius of curvature of arcuate top plate I 8 (Figure 2). A web 25 is integral with top 24 and extends at right angles therefrom, the web being held rigid with respect to top 24 by a reinforcing strut 23 integral with both. Bracket 23 also includes a pair of downwardly and inwardly extending legs 21 and 28 which are preferably integral with both the top support 24 and web 25 and which include an angle, preferably less than 180. Bracket 23 includes a third supporting leg which extend upwardly through surface 33c of the reflector through the bottom of the case. It will thus appear that the regulating apparatus and ballast 40 is completely housed within enclosure 33 where its unsightliness is concealed, and yet where it is readily accessible for purposes of replacement or repair, by merely detaching reflector member 33 from brackets 23.

Still referring to Figure 2, surfaces 33b, 33c and 33d of reflector member 33 have secured at the opposite ends thereof fluorescent light tube supporting sockets 4| which extend downwardly from the surfaces so as to support fluorescent light tubes 42, 43 and 44. Preferably a V-shaped rein- 29 which, as is more clearly shown in Figure 4,

extends downwardly from top 24 and bows outwardly from web 25. Leg 29 is provided at its bottom end with a drilled and threaded boss 33 which is preferably coaxial with cylindrical fixture ID. The bracket at the other end of fixture l0, while not shown, is identical to bracket 23, and is accordingly provided with similar supporting portions. It may thus be seen that bracket 23 is a unit which may be cast in integral form from suitable metal so as to have ample strength to support various portions of the fixture as well as reinforce arcuate top plate i6, as will be described below.

Bracket 23 (Figure 2) is secured to top plate l6 by a pair of rivets 3| and 32 which extend through the bracket top 24 and top plate I 6 on opposite sides of strut 23, thus to firmly secure the bracket to the top plate. The length of bracket top 24 is slightly less than the width of top plate I 3 to provide respective spaces between top plate flanges 16a and I 6b and the adjacent edges of bracket top support 24, to accommodate, respectively, the upper edges of a trough-shaped supporting and refleeting member, generally indicated at 33.

As shown in Figure 2, the trough-shaped reflector 33 preferably is shaped to provide elongated planar surfaces 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d and 33e, the first and last of which are respectively secured as by screws 34 to legs 21 and 23 of the brackets 23, so

as to form with top plate IS an elongated enclo-' sure 35. The upper longitudinal edges of surfaces 33a and 33a of the member 33 preferably lie flush against top plate l6, and accordingly lie within the spaces formed by the top plate flanges I and i611, and the adjacent sides of bracket 23. It accordingly follows that these upper edges of surfaces 33a and 33e of the reflector member form with top plate flanges lia and l3b, respectively, elongated parallel narrow channels or recesses 33 and 31, the purpose of which will be explained below.

The regulating apparatus and ballast 40 for the fluorescent lamps described below is horizontally disposed within enclosure 35 and rests on the upper edges of planar surfaces 33b and 33d of the trough-shaped reflector 33, the case for this apparatus being held in this position as by screws 39 forcing and reflecting member 45 is secured, as by welding, to the bottom of reflector member 33. and accordingly lies between tubes 42,and .44 to diffuse more efficiently the light rays emanating from the tubes. Although reflector 33 is generally U-shaped and hence resistant to buckling forces, V-shaped member 45 lends it additional strength. Preferably the bottom surface of reflector member 33 and the outer surfaces of V-shaped reflector 43 are polished or enameled so as to be highly reflective. Furthermore, the left and right hand sockets 4|, as viewed in Figure 2, preferably extend sufficiently from reflector member surfaces 33b and 33d so that tubes 42 and 44 are not shielded, respectively, by the adjoining edges of surfaces 33a, 33b and 33d, 33e. By so arranging the light tubes, a substantial amount of light may be directed upwardly of the fixture to provide ceiling illumination. Surfaces 33a and 33e are also presented to light rays emitted by light tubes 42 and 44 so as not to produce relatively dark areas observed through shade 46.

As noted above, fixture Ill is preferably cylindrical in shape, and is accordingly provided with an arcuate shade 46 formed preferably of a translucent, resilient plastic material having a radius of curvature the same as that of top plate l3, so

'that when the shade is installed it, together with the top plate, forms a true cylinder having a translucent area in excess of 250", thus assuring general illumination of all portions of th space in which the fixture is mounted.

The upper longitudinal edges of shade 43 are provided with out-turned lips 41 and 43 which, when the shade is installed, are disposed respectively in the elongated recesses or channels" and 31, and which intertlt respectivel with top plate flanges lBa and 16b for support thereby. The shade may be attached to or detached from the top plate by pressing its sides toward one another so as to distort the shade sufficiently to permit withdrawal of its lips 41 and 43 from behind top plate flanges I to and l3b, respec tively. 'When so distorted,.the shade lips may cleaning or replacement. Thus, the shade and top plate form an openended cylinder within which the fluorescent light tubes, together with their regulating and starting apparatus, are completely installed. By providing the complementary lips and flanges in shade 46 and top plate I6, respectively, which interflt with one another to attach the'shade to the top plate, the provision of supplementary fastening means, such as screws, which would have to extend through the shade into the top plate, is obviated, thus not only improving the appearance of the fixture as a whole, but facilitating its manufacture and assembly or disassembly.

' As viewed in Figure 4, this cylinder formed by ber, afluorescent light tube mounted in said. .sockets, a curved translucent shade secured to shade 4B and top plate It is open-ended, and these ends may conveniently be closed by translucent plastic end caps 49 and 59. End cap 49 only will be described, as cap 50 is identical thereto. Thus, end cap 49 is provided with a circular flange 49a, the diameter of which is slightly in excess of the diameter of shade 48, so that the end cap may be placed thereover, resisting any tendencies of shade 46 deforming from cylindrical section because of heat, its own weight,

etc. The end cap is provided with a centrally disposed hole 5|, through which a screw 52 extends and is threaded into boss 30 of bracket leg 29 to hold the end cap in position. Preferably an opaque plastic washer 53 is disposed shadow cast on the end cap -by bracket leg 29 (Figure 4) and also to add to the general decorative effect of the fixture. From the above, it will appear that reflector member 33 serves a multitude of purposes.- It not only forms an enclosure capable of receiving and concealing the regulating equipment and ballast for the fluorescent light tubes, but also, through the rela-.

tionship of its upper longitudinal edges with the top plate flanges I6a and "lb (Figure 2) provides the recesses 36 and 31 which receive the shade lips 41 and 48 to permit'assembly or disassembly of the shade with the rest of th fixture by merely distorting the shade. Furthermore, the member 33 serves as a support for the fluorescent light tube sockets, and comprises an ideal surface for the application of such reflecting material as may be desired.

As pointed out above, fluorescent light tubes are usually quite long, thus necessitating a fixture of even greater length. Hence, it may be seen that in providing top plate iii in arcuate form it is less liable to buckle, and is Well able to support the rest of the fixture I I] in spite of its length.

It accordingly appears that I have provided a self-contained lighting fixture particularly well adapted for fluorescent light tubes which attains the several objects hereinabove referred to in a practical and e-fflcient manner.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made'in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a lighting fixture, the combination of, an elongated arcuate top plate adapted to be supported with its axis horizontal, a supporting bracket secured to each end of said top plate and depending therefrom, each of said brackets in-' said top plate and enclosing said sockets and said tube, and a translucent end cap secured to one,

adjacent said flanges to form therewith narrow elongated recesses, an elongated fluorescent light tube secured to the under side of said member, an elongated shade, the longitudinal edges of said shade having outwardly turned lips formed thereon adapted to lie respectively in said recesses and interfit with said top plate flanges when said shade is installed, and an end .cap ateach end of said shade and secured respectively to said brackets, each cap having an inwardly extending flange fitting about and supporting the adjacent end of the shade,

' 3. ;In a lighting fixture, the combination of an elongated top plate, a supporting bracket secured to each end of said top plate and depending therefrom, each bracket including a downwardly extending leg and a leg which extends downwardly and outwardly of said top plate, a reflector member secured to said first-mentioned bracket legs, an elongated light tube secured to said member, an elongated shade secured to said top plate and enclosing said member and said tube and forming with said top plate an enclosure, and an end cap secured to each .01." said downwardly and outwardly extending bracket legs for closing the ends of said enclosure.

4. In a lighting fixture, the combination of an arcuate elongated top plate, a bracket secured to each end of said top plate and extending therefrom, each of said brackets including an arcuate supporting surface having the same radius of curvature asthat of said arcuate top plate, said bracket also including a pair of projecting supporting flanges extending generally radially from said supporting surface and a supporting surface leg extending generally axially of said supporting surface, a trough-shaped housing and supporting member coextensive longitudinally with said top plate and secured at its opposite ends to said bracket flanges, said trough-shaped member forming with said top plate an elongated chamber adapted to receive to and depending from said trough-shaped memthe regulating apparatus for a fluorescent light tube, a pair of sockets secured to said troughahaaped member and extending therefrom, a fluorescent light tube detachably mounted'between a pair of said sockets, a curved translucent shade secured to said top plate and enclosing said trough-shaped member and said tube and forming with said top plate a generally cylindrical section open at its ends, and end caps at the ends of said cylindrical section secured respectively to said bracket legs, said end caps having inwardly extending peripheral flanges fitting about and supporting the adjacent ends of said shade.

LINDSLEY SCHEPMOES. 

